In the southern foothills, as the monsoon season begins, a timeless struggle arises between farmers and leeches. In Samtse, farmers have been using Jugayto for generations, a simple yet potent solution to ward off bloodthirsty pests. Jugayto is a small container, holding the secret elixir of salt, tobacco, lime, and sometimes black peppers.
For most farmers of Tading Gewog in Samtse, each day begins with them heading into the wild, where the leeches lie in wait, seeking to latch onto any exposed flesh.
These parasites are a real nuisance to the farmers. Yet, their trusted companion, Jugayto comes in handy all the time.
Before setting out, they ensure that a small container of Jugayto is firmly strapped to their side. This vial repels the leeches, keeping the farmers safe.
“Without it, we cannot imagine our daily life in the forest. There are a lot of leeches ready to attack us,” said Sangay Wangchuk, a resident.
Beyond the physical discomfort caused by leech bites, there is a more serious concern – the threat of leech infections.
“During winter, we don’t have to carry Jugayto but as soon as the monsoon starts, we come across a lot of leeches. Then we have to carry this medicine for about six months,” said Leela Raj Ghalley, a resident.
While there are no documented cases of leech-related fatalities in the district, the farmers are well aware of the potential dangers posed by leeches. Not only can they affect human health, but they can also endanger the well-being of their livestock.
People do not know how it all began but they say the practice of carrying a Jugayto was there from a very long time ago.
“It has been there since our forefather’s time. It is normally made out of salt, tobacco and lime. It is very effective in repelling leeches,” said Sonam Dawa.
“We don’t know exactly how it began but we have seen our parents and grandparents using it from a very long time back,” said Leela Raj Ghalley.
And despite various pharmaceutical alternatives available in nearby towns, these farmers continue to entrust their lives with Jugayto.
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Passang Dorji, Samtse
